Tibouchina (genus)

Japanese name: ノボタン類
Scientific name: Tibouchina

[Overview]
Evergreen shrubs, subshrubs and perennials, some occasionally climbing.
Usually the whole plant is densely covered with coarse hairs.
The leaves are simple and opposite, elliptic to ovate, with 3–7 conspicuous veins.
The leaf margins are entire.
The flowers are borne in panicles at the stem tips or singly; they are purple to pink, 5-petaled and large.
There are 10 stamens, which are jointed.
The fruit is a capsule.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings, which is possible at any time in the hot season, and rooting is easy.
In the Kansai region and south, even if the aboveground part dies back with frost protection, it sprouts again the following spring, so it can be grown in the open ground.
In cold regions, grow it in a pot and bring it indoors to a sunny place.
It prefers sunny, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Avoid places with strong afternoon sun.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless sunny weather continues in summer and the soil dries out.
Take care not to let it run short of water during flowering.
Place slow-release fertilizer on the soil from spring to autumn.
Flower buds form from summer onward, so finish pruning before summer; if pruning hard, finish it in spring at the start of the growing period, or flowering will be delayed.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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